I Played Stylist for My Midwestern Friend Moving to NYC—Here’s Everything We Bought at Zara

By Sierra Mayhew
Published 4 days ago

When my friend called to say she was leaving the Midwest for New York, my first question wasn’t about her apartment or her job. It was: “What are you packing?” Because here’s the thing about this city—it has a radar for wardrobe weaknesses, and it will find every single one. You can be having a perfectly fine day, and then suddenly you’re walking past a gallery opening, a last-minute dinner invite, and an outdoor movie screening all in the span of three blocks. Your clothes need to keep up.

So I did what any good friend would do. I appointed myself official stylist. We needed options—real options, not just “a few good basics.” That meant one destination: Zara. Love it or judge it, every New Yorker in their twenties has at least 40 percent of their closet from this brand. It’s not even a secret anymore. It’s just the infrastructure of our wardrobes.

What we walked away with? Twenty-four pieces that can handle a full day out, unpredictable weather shifts, and those random “you have to come to this” events that define summer in the city. Here’s what made the cut—and yes, I wanted every single thing for myself.

The Strategy

Before we even opened the Zara app, I gave my friend one rule: nothing that can only do one thing. New York closets don’t have space for singles. Every piece needs to pull double duty—day to night, work to weekend, beach to bar. A dress that works with sneakers and heels. A top that looks good under a blazer or tied up with jeans. A jacket that actually handles the temperature drop between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m.

We shopped with that filter on. And Zara, bless its chaotic, trend-obsessed heart, delivered.

The Dresses That Do Everything

We started with dresses because they’re the ultimate shortcut in a city where you’re always running late. A good dress requires zero thinking. You throw it on, add shoes, and walk out the door.

We found a polished linen midi that looks like it costs five times what we paid—structured enough for a dinner reservation, relaxed enough for a daytime market run. Then there was a halter slip dress in a shade of cream that somehow feels both formal and effortless. She’ll wear it to a rooftop party with heels and to brunch with flat sandals. That’s the magic.

The surprise winner? A crochet-trimmed cotton dress that reads coastal grandmother in the best possible way. My friend hesitated because she thought it was “too vacation.” I told her that’s exactly what summer in New York feels like—a long weekend you’re somehow living through.

The Tops That Elevate Everything

Every New York wardrobe needs tops that can rescue a pair of jeans. We grabbed an open-back linen blouse that adds instant interest to an otherwise simple outfit. A sheer sleeveless knit that layers beautifully over a tank or a bikini top. And a structured poplin button-up with exaggerated shoulders that makes even the most basic shorts look intentional.

The standout, though, was a corset-style top in a neutral ribbed fabric. It sounds intimidating. It’s not. It offers just enough shape without feeling costume-y. She can wear it out at night or under an oversized blazer for a meeting. Versatility wins again.

The Bottoms That Actually Work

Pants in New York summer are a risky proposition. Too heavy and you’re miserable. Too light and they wrinkle the second you sit down. We found two pairs that thread the needle.

First: a pair of wide-leg linen trousers in a soft taupe. They breathe, they move, and they somehow don’t look like pajamas. Second: tailored shorts with a paperbag waist that feel more polished than your average summer short. She can wear them with the corset top for a night out or with a plain white tee for the farmers market.

We also grabbed a denim midi skirt—yes, in summer. But it’s a lighter-weight denim with a front slit, and it works with everything. Sneakers, sandals, kitten heels. T-shirt, tank, blouse. It’s the workhorse piece she didn’t know she needed.

The Outerwear Gamble

This one surprised me. I told my friend she needed a lightweight layer—something for over-air-conditioned subways and those evenings when the temperature drops 15 degrees without warning. We found an oversized khaki utility jacket that somehow looks cool thrown over a dress or tied around her waist.

But the real find? A cropped cardigan in a bright but not obnoxious orange. It adds a pop of color to neutral outfits and layers perfectly over everything we bought. She thought she’d never wear it. I convinced her to try it with the linen trousers and a white tank. She’s keeping it.

The Shoes and Accessories That Finish

No outfit is New York–ready without shoes you can walk in. We grabbed leather slide sandals in black and brown—simple, comfortable, and appropriate for everything from the office to outdoor drinks. A pair of retro-inspired sneakers for high-step-count days. And block-heel mules for when flats won’t cut it.

Accessories: an oversized canvas tote that fits a laptop, a water bottle, and a change of shoes. A thin leather belt that cinches dresses and trousers alike. And a pair of gold hoop earrings that make everything look more expensive.

The Verdict

Twenty-four pieces. One very full shopping cart. And a friend who now has a wardrobe that can actually survive New York.

The best part? She doesn’t look like she bought everything from one store. The pieces mix with each other and with whatever she already owns. That linen blouse with her old jeans. That cropped cardigan over a dress she brought from home. That denim skirt with a tank she’s had for years.

That’s the real test of a good shopping trip—not whether everything matches, but whether nothing screams “I just bought this.” Mission accomplished. And yes, I’m already planning my own order.